Prevalence of sexual and reproductive health issues among school-going adolescents in Hulu Langat District, Malaysia: Findings from the Borang Saringan Status Kesihatan Remaja – A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Adolescents face complex challenges in sexual and reproductive health (SRH), yet local data remain limited, especially in Malaysia. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of SRH-related behaviours among school-going adolescents in Hulu Langat District, using data from Borang Saringan Status Kesihatan (BSSK) Remaja, a nationally utilised adolescent health status screening tool in Malaysia.
Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using completed BSSK Remaja forms from 1 January to 31 December 2023. Data were extracted from Components A (sociodemographics) and F (SRH) for 1158 adolescents aged 10–19 years who attended clinics and schools within the operational zones of Klinik Kesihatan Bandar Tun Hussein Onn, Klinik Kesihatan Ampang and Klinik Kesihatan Batu 9. Stratified random sampling was employed, and descriptive analysis was conducted using SPSS v27.
Results: The sample included 532 (45.9%) males and 626 (54.1%) females. Early adolescents (10–14 years) comprised 53.8% of the participants. The majority were Malay (56.8%), followed by Chinese (35.8%) and Indian (6.2%). Approximately 11.5% reported having a romantic partner. The SRH behaviours reported included pornography use (5.3%), masturbation (1.1%) and history of sexual activity (0.2%).
Conclusion: The prevalence of sexual activity and masturbation among adolescents in Hulu Langat District was low, while pornography exposure and romantic relationships were more frequently reported, based on BSSK Remaja findings. These findings highlight the importance of improving confidentiality and clarity in SRH data collection. Updating the BSSK Remaja or adopting anonymous screening methods may improve reporting accuracy and better inform adolescent health interventions.